Cellular immune response in giardiasis.

ABSTRACT

There was statistically significant difference between all groups of giardiasis patients regarding the grade of CD4 lymphocyte infiltration (P<0.001), being more marked in symptomatic group. The prevalence of flatulence, anorexia and vomiting were more frequent in patients with heavy CD4 lymphocyte infiltration in duodenum. A high statistical significant increase was in the mean OD values of anti-Giardia duodenal secretory IgA in patients with marked CD4 infiltration in duodenum. But, a statistical insignificant difference in mean OD values of anti-Giardia total serum Ig in patients with different grades of CD4 infiltration in symptomatic group. There was statistically significant increased in the mean OD values of anti-Giardia total serum Ig in patients with marked intraepithelial CD8 lymphocyte Infiltration in the duodenum In the asymptomatic group, there was statistically insignificant difference in the mean OD values of anti-Giardia total serum Ig in patients with different grade of intra-epithelial CD8 infiltration in symptomatic group. There is statistically significant increased in the mean OD values of anti-Giardia total serum Ig in patients with marked intra-epithelial CD8 lymphocyte infiltration in the duodenum regarding immunohistochemical staining of Giardia antigen in duodenal biopsies. All the 61 symptomatic giardiasis patients revealed Giardia antigen stains in their duodenal biopsies with a sensitivity of 100% while asymptomatic group a sensitivity of 93.181%. None in the controls showed positive Giardia antigen in the duodenal biopsies with 100% specificity.